Share “Oklahoma State football notebook: Mike...”

Oklahoma State football notebook: Mike Yurcich adjusting to life in Oklahoma

The Cowboys' new offensive coordinator says the move has been easier than expected, other than an unsuccessful hunting adventure.

BY ANTHONY SLATER AND GINA MIZELL •
Published: March 15, 2013

Advertisement

As the media throng grew larger, Mike Yurcich's eyes grew wider.

It was his third practice of the spring, and the new Oklahoma State offensive coordinator was facing a larger group of reporters than he could have ever imagined at Division III Shippensburg.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY / OSU / COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich coaches the quarterbacks during an OSU spring football practice in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

“It kind of is an adjustment, but I don't mind it,” Yurcich said. “I like getting to know more people. I'm a people person and to get around more and more people, it's a heck of an opportunity.”

That's what this move was all about for Yurcich. An undeniable opportunity to receive more money and exposure, while rapidly shooting up the coaching ranks.

But along with it came an extended adjustment period.

Before Yurcich's initial interview with OSU coach Mike Gundy last month, he'd never been to Oklahoma.

“The quail seem to be a little bit faster here in Oklahoma,” Yurcich joked. “Because we went hunting the other day, a couple weeks ago with the other coaches. Boy, they came out of that bush and I know I didn't hit too many. They were making fun of me, but hey, I'm a better shot in Pennsylvania. They were all going downhill at me and I was struggling.”

But Yurcich says it has been an easier-than-expected move.

He has a wife and two young boys, not settled in a school, so they quickly made the move to Stillwater with him. And the community has embraced them.

“I'll tell you, the town is really neat,” Yurcich said. “You can sense the amount of pride they have in this university and this football program and it's special to be a part of that.”

LAVEY ‘CONTROLS GAME' FOR OSU DEFENSE

The Cowboys appear to be stacked at linebacker again in 2013, only losing one rotation player in starter Alex Elkins.

Shaun Lewis, who's poised to be a four-year starter come fall, often garners attention. Lyndell Johnson and Ryan Simmons have shown flashes of athleticism and potential as youngsters. Two highly touted recruits in Seth Jacobs and Jeremiah Tshimanga should see the field for the first time in 2013.

But defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, who also coaches the linebackers, stressed the importance of Caleb Lavey, the veteran in the middle who sometimes goes a bit unheralded.

“People have no idea how Caleb controls a game for us,” Spencer said. “How when he does his job, the ball is going to bounce out and somebody else can make a play. Or if somebody's not doing their job and the ball comes back in at times, he's there to make a play. It all works together.